Chapter 4

Estelle carried a cake over and lit a candle for me.

She, who was always serious, smiled and said, "Go on, make a wish."

I squeezed my teary eyes shut, my mind filled with wishes for Estelle.

I wished Estelle all the happiness in the world, that her life would go smoothly and she stayed safe.

Estelle couldn't hear the wishes I was silently making for her, but the moment my tears began to fall, she pulled me into her embrace, asking why I was crying.

I said, "This is the first time I've ever had a birthday cake. It's so sweet and delicious."

This was the first time in fourteen years I'd ever even had a birthday celebration.

Estelle chuckled, "It's my first time eating a birthday cake too. Honestly, it's a bit too sweet for me. You go ahead and eat as much as you want."

Back then, I had no way of knowing this was also the first time Estelle had ever celebrated someone else's birthday.

And when it came to her own birthday, she couldn't even remember it.

*****

Soon, I was off to high school. With my good grades, I got into the most prestigious school in the state.

When Estelle sent me to school, she put all her life's savings into my hands.

"Here, take this 600 dollars for now," Estelle said. "Use what you need for your tuition, and you can get by on whatever's left. I'll work hard, and send you more later."

I looked at the flecks of white in Estelle's hair and tried to muster a smile.

"Estelle, this is plenty. Please don't overwork yourself," I told her.

She frowned. "Overwork? I'm perfectly fine."

She paused, then continued, "If anyone messes with you, just call Mr. Maddox and have him reach me. I'll be here in no time to deal with those bullies."

I nodded earnestly.

She finally relaxed and turned to leave.

I watched her limp away, her figure looking so small and tanned compared to all those other parents bustling around the entrance with their kids.

My tears started falling.

I squeezed my hands tight. I must get stronger. Otherwise, I couldn't protect the ones who matter most to me.

*****

"Leona?" A doubtful voice called out in the girls' bathroom.

I slowly looked up, surprised to see Mariam standing there.

She added, "It really is you. Leona, I thought for sure you were dead. Look at you now, you even lost weight and are looking good."

She tried to stifle the shock in her voice, eyeing me from head to toe.

Then, she let out a mocking laugh. "Come on, did you have plastic surgery? Seriously, you're nothing like you were two years ago."

I kept my head down, refusing to engage with her.

But Mariam seemed excited. "Thinking about crawling back home, aren't you? Well, Mom and Dad have totally cut you off—unless you're willing to 'entertain' Dad's business partner, Pablo Stuart. Perhaps then Dad will accept you back into family again."

That calculating glint in her eyes was exactly the same as it'd been two years ago.

Some things never change. After all this time, she's just as greedy and evil as ever.

She clamped her fingers around my chin, smirking condescendingly. "I'm sure you know things are tough in the family, right? If you can help Dad out of this mess, maybe we can—"

I smacked her hand away and threw her a death glare.

I said, "I've never wanted to return. Besides, it has changed for the worse. A father who's willing to sell his own daughter just to keep things afloat—why would I ever want something like that? Just to degrade myself?"

Over these past two years, as my body changed, all the so-called wealth and glory the Frye family got from the system vanished.

I knew all too well—Dad's company was on the brink of collapse, and Mom had long since lost her place in the spotlight.

Even Mariam was stuck in the endless cycle of retaking her SAT—she couldn't even get into the worst university.

As I walked out of the bathroom, Mariam shouted, "Leona, I got you shipped off to the boonies once. Trust me, I can do it again.

"You don't want Mom and Dad, huh? Fine! I'll make them come put you in your place."

I didn't even bother to respond to her threats.

The Frye family? All the influence they once flaunted was long gone.

As for my once brilliant parents, they didn't matter to anyone anymore.

Besides, I got into this school myself with my own excellence. The teachers had always watched over me, and I'd won several awards at national competitions.

To top it all off, some universities had started reaching out to offer me early admission.

I was an honor student with excellent grades, while Mariam had repeated the same grade for three years straight. There really was nothing for Mariam to be smug about.

But I still totally misjudged just how twisted Mariam could get.

I underestimated how jealous she would get after she saw me turn into someone smarter, prettier, and better.